• “Natalie Portman would be uncomfortable in her The Other Boleyn Girl costume and not say anything. She’d tell me, ‘My rib is killing me.’ I’d be like, ‘Natalie, why don’t you say something?’ I’d have to be like, ‘Hellooo, someone, Natalie’s rib is hurting! Can you fix her zipper?'”

• “You’re never going to find me at the Ivy. I don’t care how good the Cobb salad is. These tabloid magazines—I think they’re hideous and the downfall of society.”

• “I will continue stumping for Obama until he’s elected. The past eight years have been painful for a lot of people. We’re in a state of emergency.”

• “It’s so archaic. It’s just, like, bizarre to me. I feel like in 10 or 15 years’ time our children are going to look back and say, ‘What? You were around when gay people weren’t allowed to get married?'”

• “I’ve been battered for saying that I don’t believe humans are monogamous by nature. The response was, like, ‘What a ho-bag!’ I didn’t mean that I don’t practice monogamy in my own life —o f course I do! I’m not going to be in some tarty relationship. But I stick by what I said. I remember another time I said I get tested for AIDS twice a year, and again that got spun as me being promiscuous. But I was single at the time, and I think it’s important to do that!”

• “I love filmmaking and I love acting. It’s always been a passion of mine. I love to watch films, and I love to work on films. I love the whole process: rehearsal, filming. I love to visit my director in post-production. I love to see the whole process and it’s never been a concern to me that I’m not interested in filmmaking anymore. It’s what I feel passionate about. It’s a constant in my life, that I’m always elated about and comfortable with.”

• “It seems like people have a hard time seeing outside the dollar signs of films and they don’t really want to take a chance artistically. But I do feel like there’s a big underground movement to change that. I feel really confident that there’s this subversive, counter-culture that’s kind of ready for a change.”

• “When I was three, I used to tell my mom I had a fire in my brain to act.”

• “I started acting when I was seven. I had a couple of lines in this play called Sophistry with Ethan Hawke. I studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute, and that really gave me an opportunity to perform before live audiences. There’s absolutely a difference between that and working in film… like you can mess up in film and not worry about it.”

• “My hidden talent? I don’t keep any of my talents hidden! With me it’s like, ‘Hey, look what I can do!'”

• “I want to always be able to do things that I’m passionate about. I always want to be proud of my work. I always want to be a truthful person.”

• “I’m all about fashion, cheeseburgers and bright-red lipstick.”

• “I’m curvy – I’m never going to be 5’11” and 120 pounds. But I feel lucky to have what I’ve got.”

• “I’m sure my mom will be proud. You work hard making independent films for fourteen years and you get voted best breasts.”

• “What about my brain? What about my heart? What about my kidneys and my gallbladder?”

• “Just don’t write anything pervy”.

• “I take the subway. I remain a New Yorker. I feel comfortable sitting in any pizza joint eating my pepperoni slice.”

• “I’m starting to feel like an old, rickety woman. I love New York. I loved growing up here. My parent were always very liberal and open. I grew up in Greenwich Village and had a real sense of community. I went to public school on 11th Street. I guess I had an old-fashioned childhood in a lot of ways. I used to love to play around that George Segal sculpture of the gay couples sitting on the bench at Sheridan Square. I’d run up and down Christopher Street and sneak into the bars.”

• “Josh Hartnett is very sweet. He’s a good boy. A great person. I’m very luck and I’m very happy. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not promiscuous. There does seem to be a mistaken belief out there that I am sexually available somehow – which is not to say that I’m not open-minded about sex. Yet I wouldn’t say I’m a serial monogamist, either. I mean, I went through periods of time when I was… ah… single. But when I’m in a relationship, I’m in a relationship. I can get flack for saying this, but I do believe that human beings aren’t instinctually monogamous. I just think it’s a human condition more than a male or female thing. I do think on some basic level we are animals, and by instinct we kind of breed accordingly. But as much as I believe that, I work really hard when I’m in a relationship to make it work in a monogamous way.”

• “I would never compare myself to either of those women, though I, of course, admire Lauren Bacall and love Marilyn Monroe. The actress I really adore from back then, though, is Rosalind Russell. Auntie Mame is one of my favorite movies.”

• “My grandmother is an atheist and was a supporter of socialism and others that have always been a bit taboo.”

• “People are still so racist. It amazes me – all over the world, not just here. I wonder if people are born with prejudice, and we have to overcome it. Or is it: We born without it, and it’s a learned thing.”

• “I do think I’m a survivor in some way. I mean, we’ve all gone through our different shit and either we come out of it better or we come out of it worse. I’m mostly a healthy person, I think. But we all have our demons. There are certain situations I can feel very sympathetic about – like injustices – but I feel like you can get into the syndrome of being at a pity party. I don’t think that way. Fortunately, I’m passionate about what I do, that has kept me above the line, so to speak. My passion has kept me from going under.”

• “I like the facade of glamour. Being a person in the public eye is a performance in itself. It’s important for people to buy into that idea.”

• “I can’t stand those articles where people spill their life story. After a while I feel like I know more about them than their best friend does – and that’s weird. It’s better when you don’t know everything.”

• “I had a rich childhood. A lot of kids growing up have their creativity squashed and not accepted. But I was very lucky – my parents let me do my own thing.”

• “I’m rotting on the inside. I have no muscles, no endurance. All my outdoor activities involve lying in the sun.”

• “If I find something that is just ripening, I grab it. The nice thing is, I’ve been very fortunate with other actors. I can go directly to an actor and say, ‘Let’s do this together’ and it happens. Whereas, if it’s something like a big studio film with a lot of girls fighting over it, whoever’s film has made the biggest box office is most likely the prime suitor for the part. I kind of avoid that stuff. It’s better for me to burrow underground and then pop up.”

• “The most important thing to me is that the character is something I can play. I can’t play a cheerleader. It’s going to come out awful. Some people are good at that. I think I look for projects that are unusual, films I haven’t seen before. Also you look for films that remind you of films that you like and then what director’s going to be working on it. Where’s it shooting?”

• “I love when I see a movie and it’s like you’re not even in the theater, but you’re right there with the characters, in their world, and going through the experience with them. That’s what I hope to take away when I watch a movie, and I hope that’s what people experience when they see a film – any film – I’m in.”

• “When you’re doing an independent film, it’s more like you’re doing it just for the love of film making, whereas a lot of the times when you tend to do big-budget movies, it’s more about getting the money back and making stars out of people.

• “I want my career to be filled with projects that I have fun doing and feel emotionally attached to and passionate about. As far as exploding into stardom or whatever, the one good thing about being more recognizable is the power you get in the industry. You can do those projects you’re really passionate about, and you don’t have to take things just to work.”

• “I’m the kind of person that doesn’t put up with bullshit. Does that make me uncommonly mature? I don’t know. I think you mature with experiences, and how other people view you and your maturity really depends upon when you have those experiences. If you have them at the age of 13, you’re gonna seem really mature, and if they happen when you’re 75, you’re gonna seem immature. I think I was born with a great awareness of my surroundings and an awareness of other people.

• “I’m so tired of hearing casting directors ask if I have a sore throat. The people who have told me that my voice is distinctive, it’s unusual, those people have always been close to my heart.”

• “Unfortunately, because it’s adults writing these scripts, it’s tough. The problem is that adults portray kids like mall-rats, and not seriously; after all, we’re just like little adults and people with feelings too. Kids and teenagers just aren’t being portrayed with any real depth. I’m getting sick of reading ridiculous scripts about mall-loving teenagers, but we won’t go too deep into that. Let’s just say we’ve gotten some painfully bad scripts, on a weekly basis. And these range from huge studio projects to nothing projects; it’s just painful.

• “With people my age, there’s not much respect for elders. But I’d like to think I’m not like that. It’s so interesting to listen to what older people have to say. Your grandparents, your parents, it really affects the way you look at things.”

• “I like to play pool too; that’s about as extreme as I get. My boyfriend is like my mentor. Although I did beat him once, actually. It was the most exciting time in my life.”

• “I’m actually not that type of music listener, Britney Spears type culture thing but I was telling someone earlier that it’s not like I don’t know the words to “Hit Me Baby One More Time,” I think we all do because there are such few words. I don’t have anything against it, if that’s what you choose to listen to and be a part of, then so be it.”

• “I think that I sort of see other actresses are kind of proud of the way they look and show it off. That’s never really been my style. I really don’t think that it’s disgusting or wrong, if you’re 18 you’re 18, it’s your body, it’s your right to show yourself, however, I don’t really take a part in that. I like to look nice, but I think that there’s ways of doing it that are more tasteful than just wearing a bikini wherever you go.”

• “I don’t think there’s any kind of preparation for sudden celebrity. I think you almost have this slight nervous breakdown when that kind of media attention happens. I mean, you’re doing the same kind of thing that you do all the time, only you have to make these weird adjustments. Like, you’re buying a slice of pizza and somebody’s outside photographing you which is weird – that’s not normal! It’s very uncomfortable.”

• “Bill Murray is not an incredibly sexy guy in the way that Jude Law might be seen as a sexy guy, but it doesn’t really matter. But if I was heinous looking in [Lost in Translation], do I think that people would want to see us together? No. Probably not. Age has a lot to do with it. Men age like wine, and women seem to wilt—in the eyes of an audience.”

• “I like clothing. I can shop like none other. You’d be surprised!”

• “Whatever you see on my face in a movie is the way I feel. I’m not lying to you.”

• “I want to be a part of the history of film-making. I would like to accomplish something more than looking pretty in a gown. That’s the Christmas present I most want.”

• “I don’t think people are monogamous by nature. It’s not practical, and it takes work. But when it does work, it’s so wonderful, because you trust the person, and you’re with him through thick and thin.”

• “I can look at an actor everyone’s crazy about and say, ‘Yes, he’s hot.’ But everybody I’ve ever found sexy, for me, has been unusually sexy. I think what makes somebody’s sexuality interesting is if you have to dig to get there.”

• “I never think about putting my sexuality just out on the table. ‘Sexy’ is something that’s quiet and private and shy. And I think every person who is comfortable with who they are is – in some way – sexy.”

• “Every boyfriend I’ve ever had, when they wake up in the morning and I’m singing Gypsy in the shower, has been like, ‘You loser’.”

• “I’m enthusiastic about everything. If I’m going to be with someone, I need him to be as enthusiastic as I am about, like, the carousel in Central Park or stupid things like naming a plant. I name everything.”

• “The perfect gift is cashmere socks. They are the greatest thing ever. A pair of thick cashmere socks will make anyone happy. I learned this when I bought a pair for myself. Now I give them to everybody. Sometimes you realize that the best presents are the ones you buy for yourself.”

• “When you’re making a movie or if you’re working hard at any job, you have to treat yourself. Nobody’s really taking care of you, so it’s a good idea to buy yourself a piece of jewelry or a cashmere blanket. It’s like, I earned this. If you wait around for someone to give you wonderful socks, you may miss out. Shopping is a great way to pat yourself on the back when no one else will.”

• “That was the first time I realized I could manipulate my own emotions.”
– On The Horse Whisperer

• “I came home and I thought I was going to die. I was in agony. I had muscles that had atrophied. I couldn’t run any longer and it was only the first day. But, actually Ewan was in the same boat. He had black and blue marks all over him. So, it wasn’t so bad since someone else was in agony.”
– On filming The Island

• “I was driving through Los Angeles and I look up and see the biggest photo of me I have ever seen in my life on a massive ad space. I screamed and slammed on the brakes. I couldn’t believe it. It’s very strange to see my cleavage the size of a brontosaurus. My breasts were huge. I had long hair and my goodness, I couldn’t get past the cleavage.”
– On an ad for The Island

• “My breasts are the stars of the film, really. They should each get an Academy Award.”
– On Match Point

• “I’m an actor for hire. It’s important not to forget that you’re disposable… When you have that mentality, you fight for the jobs you want.”

• “I’d love to find a great, broad comedy, which is something that I haven’t done. I’d love to work with Clint Eastwood, Tim Burton and Martin Scorsese… and my husband.”

• “I usually celebrate my birthday with my twin brother who’s funnier than me. I really don’t have any special memory of when I was a kid: I got a homemade cake and I share it out with my friends but that’s pretty much it. I like to spend the day, if I can, calm, relaxed and with no stress.”

• “When I was a kid, I started acting because I wanted to be in movie musicals and on Broadway. I took a lot of vocal lessons and I thought I was going to be Judy Garland or something. It’s always been my dream to do a movie musical. I always wanted to sing on camera. I’m really excited that it’s sort of been revived. It’s nice that I maybe have a chance to do it.”

• “Icon? No, being an icon to me is something that comes from time and years. And I think I feel probably 50 years away from… From being an icon. Hopefully!”

• “I hate it. You look at these poor women who are objectified by these magazines. I’m never going to be able to look at a runway model and say: ‘I’ll try my best to look like that.’ I think it’s important for young girls to hear that from someone like me.”
– On size zero

• I like clothing. I can shop like none other. You’d be surprised!

New York
• There are a lot of good shops on the Lower East Side, but my favorite is Barneys because it’s filled with old ladies and nobody bothers you.
• There’s Foley & Corinna. They hand-pick lovely things – it’s one of those stores where the person that owns it has great taste, so you don’t have to search through lots of stuff. Cherry is pretty great, too. Although I like vintage I prefer to shop in places like Barneys. Vintage shopping is fun, but it’s not a huge part of my wardrobe.

Tokyo
• I’ve never been anywhere in the world, apart from Tokyo, where there are so many people out shopping. Everything is so accessible, too – like I go into Harvey Nicks and everything I ever need is right there. Or for vintage, I can just go down to Portobello Road.

On her favorite labels

• There are some labels that I’m just… ‘I want, I want.’ I want a Chanel suit so badly. Gucci makes me drool, too.

• I’m a total Prada junkie. I’m confident enough to wear whatever I want without making an excuse for it.

• I love Chloe – the designs fit me really well. The clothes are so pretty and beautifully made. I love the new big cashmere sweaters – they’re great for New York as it gets so cold. I love Balenciaga, too, the lines are incredibly flattering, they really emphasise the waist.

• I like Chanel, Marc Jacobs and Alexander McQueen. And I love the simplicity and wearability of Calvin Klein.

• I’m born and raised New York and I think my style comes from there. It’s about individuality. I have never felt the need to fit in to a fashion ideal.

• I try to be comfortable and sopphisticated. I’m from New York City and I think when you’re born in New York you have that in-built sense of style, being both functional and fabulous.”

• People from New York are very fashionable, very cutting edge. I think I have a New York sense of style.

• Because I’m 19, I’m a pretty clean slate style-wise. I feel free to create the look I want and I don’t have to conform to what people think I should be wearing.

• Just because I make films that have a low budget doesn’t mean I should dress low-budget. If you go to a glamorous event, you should look glamorous.

• I used to go binning around vintage stores when I was 10, but as I got older, I was able to shop like I really wanted to shop. All you have to do is go to Barneys in New York or Harvey Nichols in London, where you can check out all the collections. I’ve become friends with a lot of designers who’ve made dresses for me, and I’m part of the creative process. I could never have somebody tell me, ‘This is what you’re wearing’ or ‘This is what’s really hot this season.’

• I’m quite short – about 5ft 4in – so I don’t look good in really flarey jeans. Skinny is the only style of jeans I feel comfortable in. I’ve been wearing them for ages and getting all my trousers tailored like that, so it’s nice that style is becoming more popular.

• The only shoes I really wear regularly are Chucky T’s – my Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers. I have to wear heels a lot when I’m working, so when I’m not I tend to wear flats.

• I’m pretty casual. I wear sneakers and flats. I can walk in heels too, but do I wear them everyday? Certainly not. Only if I’m going to a premiere or party, because I like to look like a lady.

• A really cool Alessandro Dell’ Acqua black tuxedo suit that I wore to an awards ceremony. It had beautiful pencil-slim trousers and had a great jacket. It was perfectly cut for a womanly figure. on her most prized item

• I’d never leave home without my black cashmere wrap. It’s like a security blanket – I sleep in it, but I can also wear it with an evening gown. on her favorite item

• I think that I sort of see other actresses are kind of proud of the way they look and show it off. That’s never really been my style. I really don’t think that it’s disgusting or wrong, if you’re 18 you’re 18, it’s your body, it’s your right to show yourself, however, I don’t really take a part in that. I like to look nice, but I think that there’s ways of doing it that are more tasteful than just wearing a bikini wherever you go.

• I always check in the mirror to make sure nothing is see-through.

• If I ever think, ‘Oh, God, I feel enormous’, there’s always a healthy way of doing something about it. There’s no point sitting around, being depressed.

• Everyone’s so damned skinny! It’s shocking meeting other celebrities who are scarily thin. I’m slim but curvy and I like the way I am. I’m never going to be rail thin.

• I’m lucky. I have a 19-year-old’s metabolism so I don’t have any real excercise regime. I made a tennis film recently (In Good Company), which was great for cardio exercise. I looked good then, but not so much now.

• If you’re comfortable with yourself, then it’s sexy. Maybe people think I look sexy because I feel sexy. I am a very liberated person that way. I’m very comfortable with my sexuality, my body, my face – well, sometimes I’m not comfortable with my face, but it’s stuck there and there’s nothing I can do about it!

• I’m proud of my girls. They’re my charms, my feminine wiles. But sometimes you want to show off other parts of your body, like your back or your butt. You don’t want to reveal it all at once.

• Anything very popular. Like those horrible furry Eskimo-type boots – they’re ridiculous. They make you look like a Clydesdale horse.

• Kate Moss always looks amazing. She always looks great in everything. She could wear a black sack and everyone would rush out to buy one.

• Sarah Jessica Parker, Gwen Stefani and Diane Lane always look beautiful.

• Marlene Dietrich was so stylish and Marilyn Monroe was beautiful, too.

• I love to get massages, but a bad one will make you feel worse, so I have to go to someone I know is good.

• I like to have long hot baths.